(Number) + しか〜ない
No more than, Not exceeding, As few as・as little as, Only
Structure
Explanation
The particle しか is frequently compared with だけ as it also conveys the meaning of 'only'. However, a key difference is that しか must always be used in conjunction with a negative verb. For this reason, the pattern しか～ない is often translated as 'there is only (A)' or 'nothing but (A)'. しか～ない can be used with both nouns and numbers. This lesson will focus on its use with numbers.
To create this grammar pattern, you will place the number you wish to limit directly before しか. Then, しか must be followed by a verb in its negative form, such as ない or ありません.
- 今夜は四時間しか寝られない。I can only get four hours of sleep tonight.
- 財布には１０００円しか入っていない。I only have 1000 yen in my wallet.
- パーティーのために、ケーキが一つしか買えなかった。For the party, I was only able to buy one cake.
Fun Fact
The primary nuance separating しか and だけ is the implication of choice. だけ suggests that one thing (A) was selected from a larger set of available options. On the other hand, しか implies that no other options existed in the first place, and (A) was the only possibility.
- 本棚にはたくさんの本があったけど、一冊だけを取った。There were many books on the bookshelf, but I only took one.
- 本棚には本が一冊しかなかったから、それを読んだ。There was only one book on the bookshelf, so I read that one.
Examples
あと５分しかないから、急いで！
We only have five minutes left, so hurry!
財布の中には１００円しか入っていない。
There's only 100 yen in my wallet.
ひらがなしか読めません。
I can only read hiragana.
冷蔵庫には卵が一個しか残っていない。
There is only one egg left in the refrigerator.
パーティーには３人しか来なかった。
Only three people came to the party.
昨日は、２時間しか寝られなかった。
I could only sleep for two hours last night.
この店ではコーヒーしか売っていません。
This shop sells nothing but coffee.
彼の話は半分しか分からなかった。
I could only understand half of what he said.
ゴールまであと１００メートルしかない。
There's only 100 meters left to the goal.
もうこの道しかありません。
There is no other way but this one.
この会社では１年しか働いていません。
I have only worked at this company for one year.
英語が少ししか話せません。
I can only speak a little English.